﻿990 faulty school vans impounded in two-week drive

KARACHI: Karachi Traffic Police have impounded 990 school vans running on compressed natural gas (CNG) and fitted with substandard cylinders within two week of campaign launched in the metropolis against them.

The action was taken against 3200 school vans, out of which 2230 were sent to Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) in Korangi for inspection of their CNG cylinders. It was found at least 175 vans had substandard cylinders, while 815 vans were apprehended for having no attendant or without school logo or officially recommended colour, which is yellow, said DIG Traffic Police Karachi Dr Amir Ahmed Shaikh while talking to reporter on Thursday.

DIG Amir said the action was taken by their special teams constituted, especially for the drive against school vans playing with the precious lives of schoolchildren in the city. He said he had already directed officials concerned not to take action during school hours, but it should be taken after the school timings.

He said the action against school vans would not be stopped unless they remove substandard gas cylinders from their vehicles and follow the rules and regulations. He said no one would be allowed to ruin the schoolchildren’s self respect in a way to lock them in vans and overload them.

Next phase of the drive will be against school vans’ owners who do not want to follow the law, he concluded.